Outline for Definition Essay

Instructions

Your outline must be submitted in a formal outline format - view the outline tutorial in this week's module. The outline should demonstrate enough detail to make it clear that you have considered the organization of your presentation, including the research required for your topic, and the planned sections for your research paper. At the end of your outline, please provide a listing of the sources which you have already identified for use in creating your research paper.

Elements of an Essay
INTRODUCTION: Usually, an introduction starts broad and narrows down to your specific topic, ending in the thesis. This is your opportunity to establish why readers might be curious about your general topic, catch their attention, or put your essay in context. Thesis: Your introduction should end with a clear, specific thesis statement, which will tell readers exactly what your paper will be presenting and defining. The body paragraphs will directly and obviously support your thesis.

BODY PARAGRAPHS: An essay usually has at least three or more body paragraphs, and these will be the evidence or topics that support your thesis.

Topic Sentences: Each body paragraph will begin with a topic sentence that introduces its topic. All of the information in that paragraph will be clearly and logically related to that topic sentence, which in turn should obviously relate to the thesis.
Support: You use data, facts, analysis, quotes, anecdotes, examples, details, etc. to support your topic sentences and flesh out your body paragraphs. A good rule of thumb is to have at least three points to support each topic sentence.
Transitions: An effective essay will show the connection between paragraphs with transitions. These can be the final sentence of each body paragraph or can be integrated into the next topic sentence with transition words.
CONCLUSION: A conclusion should wrap up your essay, but should not introduce new information or arguments. It should begin with a sentence that looks a lot like your thesis to summarize the general points of the paper as a whole, and then draw your paper neatly to a close.

REFERENCES: Be sure to use 7th edition APA format. Here is a link to Purdue OWL for examples for the Reference page and in-text citations:

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html (Links to an external site.)

Grading Rubric

View the grading rubric below.

Submission Guidelines

Only doc, docx, and odt file types are accepted - PDF and GOOGLE docs files are not accepted. You may download Microsoft Office for free under Pages.

*Late assignments will not be accepted.

Rubric
Outline Grading Rubric 100 points
Outline Grading Rubric 100 points
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThesis, Main Points, & Subpoints
45 to >40.5 pts
Exemplary
Thesis statement is clearly stated with certainty. Intriguing and grabs readers attention. Main points and subpoints clearly and effectively sync with all ideas included in the thesis.
40.5 to >36.0 pts
Accomplished
Thesis is stated, however average. All main points and subpoints relate directly to the thesis. All ideas outlined in the thesis are included in major points.
36 to >33.75 pts
Developing
Thesis is stated, however stated uncertain. Not all the main points and subpoints of the paper are clearly stated. At least one small part of the thesis has no elaboration under the major points.
33.75 to >0 pts
Beginning
Thesis not mentioned. There is a major discrepancy between the ideas expressed in the thesis and the main points and subpoints outlined.
45 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReference Citations
20 to >18.0 pts
Exemplary
All citations are correctly cited following a standard Outline format. Using APA style.
18 to >16.0 pts
Accomplished
All citations are cited following a standard outline format with no more than two errors in APA style.
16 to >15.0 pts
Developing
Citations follow a standard outline format with several APA citation errors.
15 to >0 pts
Beginning
Citations follow no discernible outline format or pattern of frequent citation errors.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOutline Format
25 to >22.5 pts
Exemplary
Paper neatly typed and formatted according to assignment guidelines.
22.5 to >20.0 pts
Accomplished
Paper typed and formatted according to assignment guidelines with very few errors.
20 to >18.75 pts
Developing
Paper typed and formatted with some errors; filename vague, misleading, or incomplete.
18.75 to >0 pts
Beginning
Paper not typed, or typed with numerous errors; format guidelines not followed; no electronic version submitted; more than two of the above elements missing.
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSource Quality
10 to >9.0 pts
Exemplary
Required number of sources.
9 to >8.0 pts
Accomplished
Nearly all the required number of sources.
8 to >7.5 pts
Developing
About half of the required number of sources.
7.5 to >0 pts
Beginning
Fewer than the required number of sources.
10 pts
Total Points: 100